Container closure



June 1, 1965 K. F. TENNlsON KENNETH F TENNISON ATT'Y United States Patent 3,186,577 CONTAINER CLOSURE Kenneth F. Tennison, 939 S. Stone Ave, La Grange, Ill. Filed Dec. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 246,279 4 Claims. (Cl. 220-25) This invention relates to a container closure, and more particularly to a tamper-proof closure for a pressurized vessel containing soft drinks, food, chemical, pharmaceutical, and other products.

An object of the invention is to provide a closure for a vessel which is maintained under gaseous pressure and which is tamper-proof and effective against movement for the ingress of contamination without breaking a seal. A further object is to provide a closure equipped with a locking ear for tilting the closure to insure uniform seating, while at the same time utilizing a clamping handle for urging the ear into locking position and securing it against release. Yet another object is to provide a liquid plug valve or closure which is tamper-proof and effective against unauthorized movement of any portion thereof for the ingress of contaminating material. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is shown in illustrative embodiment by the accompanying drawing, in which FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a container equipped with a closure embodying my invention; FIG. 2, a perspective view; FIG. 3, a broken part-sectional view showing the closure in partially assembled relation with the container; and FIG. 4, a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the closure in sealed position, the section being taken as indicated at line 44 of FIG. 1.

In the illustration given, designates a container which may be of steel, stainless steel, or any suitable construction, and the closure 16 therefor may also be of steel, stainless steel or any other suitable construction.

The container 10 may also be provided with a valve for the introduction of gas, such as CO nitrogen, etc., into the container, and a valve for the withdrawal of liquid from the container, as when the container is employed for containing and dispensing soft drinks, syrup, and other food materials.

In the illustration given, the container 10 is provided at its top with an oval-shaped access opening 13 and with a collar 14 about the opening. The collar portion 14 is preferably rounded and is adapted to receive on its underside a sealing ring 15 formed of plastic, rubber, or any suitable sealing type of ring which is usually referred to as an O ring.

The closure 16 is generally oval or elliptical in shape and has a downwardlyand outwardly-extending flange portion 17 adapted to receive the O ring 15 and to clamp it against the collar 14 for sealing the opening. In order to clamp the closure securely in position, a clamping handle 18 is provided and has horizontal portions 19 extending through the apertured straps 20 which are secured to the closure 16 at points rearwardly of center of the closure. The handle 18 has a wide, hand-grip portion 21, and the horizontal segments 19 are provided at their outer ends with rearwardly-extending feet portions 22 equipped with friction shoes 23 formed of plastic or other suitable material. The plastic shoes 23 extend downwardly so as to bear against the top portion of the container 10 and wedge upwardly the straps 20 so as to draw the flange 17 toward the collar 14 and to clamp the resilient sealing ring 15 into tight sealing engagement with the collar. As shown best in FIG. 4, the friction shoes 23 pass over center and rearwardly of the closure when the closure is in sealed position.

The closure 16 may be provided with an arcuate pressure-release band 24, the band or ribbon being sufliciently 3,16,577. Patented June 1, 1965 thin that it will tear or rupture under a predetermined excessive pressure for the service involved. By interrupting the arcuate ribbon 24 at 25, it is found that there is no tendency for metal to fly from the closure when the pressure is excessive and the ribbon breaks.

In the practice of the invention, I provide the closure 16 at its forward end with a locking ear or projection 26, the ear or locking tab 26 being preferably short in length so that it may be assembled in the position illustrated in FIG. 3 while at the same time providing an effective lock against inward movement of the closure when the closure is in fully assembled position, as shown in FIG. 4.

The locking ear or tab 26 serves as a pivot member for aligning the closure parts with the collar 14 so that as the clamping handle 18 is swung downwardly, the closure moves uniformly into accurately aligned position with the collar so as to exert relatively uniform pressure against the sealing ring 15. Further, in this operation, the friction shoes 23 as they bear against the top of the container 10 draw the closure forwardly so as to insure the overlapping of the ear 26 over collar 14, the ear being moved to its extreme forward position by this action of the friction shoes. As the friction shoes are swung downwardly below the container top 12 and past center to the rearwardly-extending position shown in FIG. 4, the shoes themselves serve as pressure means against lateral movement of the closure and against any tendency of the locking ear to become released from engagement with the container top.

After the clamping handle has been moved to closed position and sealed in this position at Zita, it is found that the closure 16 is effective against pressures from all sides. At the rear side, the inwardly-turned shoes 23 prevent any downward movement of the closure 16. At the forward end of the closure, the ear or lip 26 prevents any depression of the closure even though the closure should receive blows or heavy pressure in this area. By the foregoing mechanism, the closure is thus rendered tamper-proof, while at the same time, when the seal is removed, the parts can be readily disassembled for opening the container and assembled for closing the container.

In the foregoing construction, the tab serves the further function of a retainer for the resilient O ring or sealing ring 15, and this advantage is found important where in the washing operations there is a tendency for the O ring to enlarge or change shape. For this purpose, the tab 26 may, if desired, be made Wider to provide a greater arcuate surface for engaging the sealing ring. I

While in the foregoing specification I have shown a tab or ear 26 which extends over the edge of the container top 14, it will be understood that other tamperproof means may be provided. As, for example, the container top 14 and the closure top 16 near its forward edge may be provided with vertical members having aligned apertures adapted to be engaged by a sealing wire or member so that if the forward end of the closure 16 were depressed, the seal would be broken and this would be evidence of the opening of the closure. I prefer, however, to use the tab or ear 26 which provides positive protection against contamination as well as providing the other advantages above described.

The foregoing means for protecting a pressure container is particularly useful with the type of pressure containers employed with soft drinks and other foods where the gas may become absorbed during transportation or in storage. In actual usage, this type of pressure container is quite often filled at one location with the product and then suitable gas applied. The source of gas may, or may not, be continuously attached to the container. During such times when gas is not continuously applied, as, for example, during transportation or in storage awaiting usage, many products absorb the gas. This absorption results in lower pressure in the container and therefore makes possible an easier entry via the closure. Also, some products, such as low-carbonated soft drinks,

require relatively lowpressure and therefore rnakes possible relativelyeasy entry via the closure into the container.

any of these conditions. 7

While in the foregoing specification I have described the handle as being formed of wire, it will be understood 7 that this may be. formed of any other suitable material and, instead of using plastic feet, the ends of the handle may be used. Without such feet to accomplish the results ing a top Wall provided with anaccess opening, said closure having a depending and laterally-extending flange adapted to receive a sealing ring and having also rear -wardly of its center a pair of spaced apertured pivot straps, a clamping handle having horizontal portions exadapted to bear against said container to draw said flange toward the top of said container, and a locking ear rigidly carried by the front portion of saidvclosure and projecting over the edge of said top.

2. In combination with a container opening in the top portion thereof, an oval closure for having an oval By the use of the structure described herein, it t is possible to prevent the ingress of contamination under tending through said apertures and havingend portions 4;, said opening having a depending and laterally-extending flange, a sealing ring carried by said flange, said closure having a pair of apertured strapsextending upwardly therefro'nrand rearwardly of, center, a clamping handle having horizontal portions received Within said apertures, said handle having feet adapted to be moved over said container top and beyond: center to draw said closure and sealing ring upwardly against said top, and a locking ear rigidly carried by :the front portion of said closure and projecting over the edge of said top.

3. The structureof claim. 2 in which said handlefeet are provided with friction shoes which extend rearwardiy oisaid' apertures when said clamping handle islo wered.

s. A tamper-proof closure for a ,containerhavinga top wall provided with. an-oval access opening, said closure having a depending and laterally-extending flange adapted to receive atsealing ring, -.said closure also having rearwardly of its center a pairIof spaced apertured straps, a clamping handle having horizontalvpivot portions extending through said apertures, ahand-grip portion extending forwardly, and friction shoe portions extending rearwardly of said apertures when said hand-grip portion is lowered, said closurehaving'at its forward end a short locking ear immovablyfifixed thereto for movement only with saidv closure and: adapted to move-1 forwardly over said container topwhen said friction shoes are moved rearwardly inthe clamping operation.

ReferencesCited by the Examiner V UNITED 'srATEs'PArENrs 7 2,538,661 1/51 'Vischer 220--2s 3,076,576 2/63 f Cornelius 220--279 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. WESLEY SLCOLE, Eicaminen. 

1. A CONTAMINATION-PROOF CLOSURE FOR A CONTAINER HAVING A TOP WALL PROVIDED WITH AN ACCESS OPENING, SAID CLOSURE HAVING A DEPENDING AND LATERALLY-EXTENDING FLANGE ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A SEALING RING AND HAVING ALSO REARWARDLY OF ITS CENTER A PAIR OF SPACED APERTURED PIVOT STRAPS, A CLAMPING HANDLE HAVING HORIZONTAL PORTIONS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID APERTURES AND HAVING END PORTIONS ADAPTED TO BEAR AGAINST SAID CONTAINER TO DRAW SAID FLANGE TOWARD THE TOP OF SAID CONTAINER, AND A LOCKING EAR RIGIDLY CARRIED BY THE FRONT PORTION OF SAID CLOSURE AND PROJECTING OVER THE EDGE OF SAID TOP. 